Hoyer Statement on Secretary Mineta

For Immediate Release:

June 23, 2006

Contact:Stacey Farnen Bernards(202) 225 - 3130

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after Norman Mineta, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, announced that he would resign his post effective July 7:

"I applaud my good friend Norm Mineta's long and exemplary career in the service of our nation. During the years that we served together in the House of Representatives, I always knew Norm to be an exceedingly dedicated and honorable public servant, who continually used his many talents on behalf of his constituents in California and the entire nation.

"It is a testament to Norm's abilities that he served in two cabinet positions - first as President Clinton's Commerce Secretary and then as President Bush's Secretary of Transportation - and that he was the first Asian-American to serve as a Cabinet Secretary. Norm's served in this latter position at one of the most challenging times in our nation's history, and I believe will long be credited with helping to engineer the safe landing of thousands of commercial aircraft still in the air after the terrorist attacks on September 11. Following those attacks, securing the country's transportation infrastructure became a vital issue of national security, and the American people were lucky to have Norm Mineta as the official heading this task.

"I would like to wish Norm and his family the very best, and to thank him for all that he has given to the United States."